S. Korea: DPRK peace treaty not welcome

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has proposed concluding a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War. The DPRK says it will discuss with relevant state parties in the framework of the six-party talks.

On Monday, the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement suggesting the Armistice Agreement be replaced by a peace treaty this year. 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

The statement says the move would help promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

It also stresses the need to build confidence between the DPRK and the US.

The statement also hints at resuming the Six-Party Talks in exchange for removing barriers such as sanctions.

Seoul is taking a dim view of the proposal. A South Korean Foreign Ministry official says it's somewhat different from Seoul's original position. He says the government is expected to make a formal response after a thorough review of the statement.

Another unnamed government official calls the proposal an attempt to dilute denuclearization. He expressed skepticism it would have a positive effect on the resumption of the talks.

In 1953, the DPRK and the US-led United Nations Command signed the Armistice Agreement, not a peace treaty. So the Korean Peninsula remains technically at war.